The interpreters of the European Parliament have noted a willingness at political and administrative level within the European institution to revive social dialogue, following discussions on reforms of their working conditions, in Strasbourg on Tuesday 3 and Wednesday 4 July.
On Tuesday, President Tajani, whose father was a representative of the Italian language interpreters in Parliament, assured the union organisations that the Parliament needs a quality interpreting service.
At this meeting, the return of the interpreters' direct representatives to the negotiating table was noted and two members of Tajani's cabinet will act as mediators to uphold social dialogue during the forthcoming negotiations on the working conditions, to take place on Thursday 12 July and possibly also on Thursday 19 July.
At an extraordinary meeting of the Bureau of Parliament on Wednesday, the interpreters' representatives presented their position in response to that put forward by Secretary General Klaus Welle at the June plenary session.
The interpreters are calling for the deadline for the unions to table amendments to the proposed reform of the working conditions, tabled by the Secretary General of Parliament on 18 June, to be extended beyond July.
“The administration is now referring to the working conditions agreed upon in 2006, rather than those unilaterally imposed in 2017”, one negotiator noted with satisfaction, adding that this is an “important message”.
According to several observers, the action carried out by several MEPs on Tuesday, which led to a delay in the work of the plenary session, may have served as a catalyst (see EUROPE 12054).
The strikers, who will be subjected to further requisitions next week, are maintaining vigilance and keeping their strike notice in place until mid-September. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)